New Guinea Impatiens plant named ‘Danharpl’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘Danharpl’ characterized by having large, round, red-purple flowers borne above the foliage, vigorous branching, foliage that is dark red on the underside, and compact growth habit.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention comprises a new and distinct cultivar of NewGuinea Impatiens plant, botanically known as Impatiens, and hereinafterreferred to by the cultivar name ‘Danharpl’.

‘Danharpl’ is a product of a planned breeding program and was originatedfrom a hybridization made by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in acontrolled breeding program in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, in 1996. Thefemale parent was in Impatiens cultivar designated A-231. The maleparent was an Impatiens cultivar designated B-744. Both parents areproprietary cultivars used in the breeding program.

‘Danharpl’ was discovered and selected as a flowering plant within theprogeny of the stated cross by the inventor, Gabriel Danziger, in 1997in a controlled environment in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel.

The first act of asexual reproduction of ‘Danharpl’ was accomplishedwhen vegetative cuttings were taken from the initial selection in 1997in a controlled environment in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel by GabrielDanziger. The cuttings are apical cuttings. No more than two expandedleaves and 3-4 immature leaves are evident. Horticultural examination ofplants grown from these cuttings in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, hasdemonstrated that the combination of characteristics as herein disclosedfor the new cultivar are firmly fixed and retained through successivegenerations of asexual reproduction.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following traits have been repeatedly observed and are determined tobe basic characteristics of ‘Danharpl’ which in combination distinguishthis Impatiens as a new and distinct cultivar:

1. Large, round, red-purple flowers borne above the foliage;

2. Vigorous branching;

3. Foliage that is dark red on the underside; and

4. Compact growth habit.

‘Danharpl’ has not been observed under all possible environmentalconditions. The phenotype of the new cultivar may vary significantlywith variations in environment such as temperature, light intensity, anddaylength without any change in the genotype of the plant. The followingobservations, measurements and values describe the new cultivar as grownin Mishmar Hashiva, Israel under greenhouse conditions which closelyapproximate those generally used in commercial practice.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying color photographic drawing shows typical flower andfoliage characteristics of ‘Danharpl’, with colors being as true aspossible with illustrations of this type.

DETAILED BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION

The measurements were taken in Mishmar Hashiva, Israel, and are based onplants grown from rooted cuttings in a net-covered greenhouse during thesummer at temperatures of 35° C. maximum and 18° C. minimum. In thefollowing description, color references are made to The RoyalHorticultural Society Colour Chart (R.H.S.), except where general colorsof ordinary significance are used.

Species: Impatiens hawkeri.

Classification:

Botanical.—A hybrid of the genus Impatiens.

Commercial.—New Guinea Impatiens, cv. ‘Danharpl’.

Plant:

General appearance and form.—Height: 15-20 cm. Width: 25-30 cm. Habit:Plant shape is round and compact. Branching: Vigorous in character.Flowering response: 8-9 weeks after planting of rooted cuttings.Flowering season: Throughout the entire year, the instant plant grows inpartially shaded areas in temperatures of 10 to 25 degrees Celsius.Lasting quality of bloom: Open during the lifetime of the plant; lastingquality of bloom ranges between 5-10 days after anthesis. Propagation:Leaf-cutting. Rooting: Vigorous, roots initiate in 7-8 days at 25° C.and 8-9 days at 20° C. Stem: Length is 22-25 cm, diameter is 0.8-1 cm,internode length is 3.5-4 cm. Stem Color: RHS 46 A. Spur Color: RHS 60B. Fragrance: Flowers have no fragrance.

Foliage.—Shape of leaf: Lanceolate base is acuminate; tip is attenuate.Margin: Serrated, displays ciliation. Texture: Smooth. Length of leaf:8-9 cm. Width of leaf: 3-3.5 cm. Main color on upper surface: Matureleaf: RHS 147 A. Immature leaf: RHS 147 A. Main color on lower surface:Mature leaf: RHS 59 A. Immature leaf: RHS 187 B. Veination: Uppersurface: One main, red vein RHS 60 A. Lower surface: One main, red vein(RHS 60 B) and small, red veinations.

Inflorescence:

Corolla.—Form: 5 petals per flower. Shape: Round. Average number: 20-25flowers open at one time per mature plant (four months old). Size:Between 6 and 7 cm. Petal number: 5. Petal shape: 4 are heart-shaped,the dorsal petals are free, the lateral petals are fused in pairs, thedorsal petal is wider than the lateral petals and is also heart-shaped.Petal color: Upper surface: In spring when opening, petals are RHS 67 A,fading to RHS 67 B. Lower surface: RHS 66 C.

Bud.—Color: 61 C. Response: 6-7 weeks after planting of rooted cuttings,developing into open flowers approximately two weeks later. Size beforeopening: 2-2.5 cm. Aspect: Stands above pedicel and has a curved spur 4cm long. Pedicel length: 3.5-4 cm. Pedicel color: 60 A.

Reproductive organs.—Stamens: 1. Anthers: Round, light red in color.Pollen: White. Stigma: Round, nearly white in color. Ovary: Four-celled,1 mm in length, dark-red in color.

Plant disease resistance/susceptibility: This variety is notdistinctively resistant or susceptible to plant disease.

Fruits and seeds: Fruit is an explosive capsule. Seeds are smooth, 1 mmwidth, 2-3 mm length, elliptic shape.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct cultivar of Impatiens plant named ‘Danharpl’, as illustrated and described herein. 